The Aboriginal Tourism Development Support Grants provide funding for Aboriginal Territorians and Aboriginal owned businesses and organisations to develop cultural tourism experiences and products that encourage visitors to travel to the NT and stay longer.

Applications close 6 March 2026, or when funds are fully expended, whichever occurs first. If you are considering applying, act quickly.

What the grant offers

• Between $10,000 and $30,000 in funding
• Support for engaging professional services for feasibility studies and business planning
• Assistance preparing applications to relevant land councils or other land management authorities for tourism experiences and products

Who should apply

• Aboriginal owned businesses or organisations (greater than 50% Aboriginal owned)
• Located and operating in the Northern Territory
• Legally constituted and Australian registered
• No outstanding grant acquittals

What makes a strong application

This program funds the planning and feasibility stage of cultural tourism development, not the delivery of tourism experiences themselves. The strongest applications focus on professional services that lead to a clear, actionable plan.

Think about what comes before launching a tourism product: a feasibility study assessing visitor demand and commercial viability, a business plan mapping out operations and revenue, or expert support preparing a land use application to the relevant land council. These are the activities the grant is built for.

Applications that connect to broader NT tourism priorities will stand out. The Territory is investing heavily in attracting visitors beyond Darwin, particularly into regional and remote areas. If your project supports dispersal into less-visited regions or extends average visitor stay length, make that case clearly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the funding for building infrastructure or buying equipment?

No. This grant covers professional services only, such as consultants for feasibility studies, business planning, and land council application preparation. Capital expenditure is not covered.

What counts as "greater than 50% Aboriginal owned"?

The majority ownership or control of the business or organisation must rest with Aboriginal people. This applies to the legal structure of the entity, whether that is a company, trust, corporation, or association.

Do I need an existing tourism business?

Not necessarily. The grant is designed to support the development of new cultural tourism experiences, so early-stage concepts backed by a solid plan for professional services are eligible.

What happens if funds run out before the closing date?

Applications close on 6 March 2026 or when funds are fully expended, whichever comes first. Submitting earlier gives you a better chance of the program still having budget available.

Why it is worth your time

Cultural tourism is one of the fastest growing segments in the NT visitor economy. This grant provides a low-barrier entry point for Aboriginal businesses looking to formalise and plan tourism offerings without carrying the upfront cost of professional advisory services.

Even if your idea is still at concept stage, this funding can help you determine whether it is commercially viable before committing further resources.

How Grant Savvy helps

We write it for you. Grant applications are time consuming and competitive. We handle the writing, positioning, and submission so you can focus on your business.

We know what assessors look for. Our team has helped clients secure over $45 million in government funding. We understand how to frame your project around program objectives and assessment criteria.

Strategic positioning. We help you connect your tourism concept to the broader priorities the NT Government is funding against, including regional dispersal, visitor economy growth, and Aboriginal economic participation.

Fixed pricing, no surprises. Our fees are transparent and structured so you know exactly what you are paying before we start.

Our process

• Initial consultation to understand your project and goals
• Eligibility confirmation and program fit assessment
• Drafting your application with supporting narrative
• Internal review against assessment criteria
• Final revisions with your input
• Submission before the deadline
• Post-submission support and follow-up

Standard turnaround: 3-4 weeks. Rush options available when capacity permits.

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